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REGARDING HENRYHenry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer was one of the most disturbing slasher flicks to disgrace the '90s. We speak to its star, Michael Rooker... |
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What were you trying to achieve with Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer? Michael Rooker: "One of our goals was to do a movie as true to life as possible. We wanted to scare people - and what was more scary than real-life? We tried to make it as real as possible, with no cops and robbers bullshit. When you need a cop, they're never around anyway! The only person who's gonna save your ass is yourself!" When was the last time you watched the movie? Rooker: "Not in a couple of years. I know people who watch it all the time! It's a little bit frightening. Henry just doesn't seem to go away - it seems to have found a whole new generation." |
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What did you make of Henry 2: Mask Of Sanity, which saw Neil Giuntoli step into your shoes? Rooker: "It was bullshit. It didn't have any of the creative people who were involved with the first film. It wasn't the same at all. It was done for the wrong reasons, to capitalise on the first one and that type of bullshit. I turned the role down. Me and John McNaughton (Henry director) talked about it, but it was like, 'Why would you want to do another one?'. When you shoot your best shot, it's time to walk away, my friend!" In late 2001, you appeared in a music video - American Head Charge's controversial All Wrapped Up. How did that come about? Rooker: "The video's director gave me a call. I wasn't all that interested, but he sent me some examples of his own work, which I liked. Then he told me the name of the band and sent me 'All Wrapped Up'. I heard the song and immediately called him and said I'd do it. I enjoyed the song - it's pretty hard 'no music' music! I'm just so fuckin' tired of all the bullshit you hear on the radio. The band are very visceral and cathartic." Would you agree that the video saw you reprising your Henry role? Rooker: (Laughs) "Yes! I noticed the similarities right away. I found it quite  appropriate that the video went on to be banned, as Henry was banned in certain countries. I also did a Henry in an 18-minute movie for David Koepp, called Suspicious." Suspicious, eh? Tell us more... Rooker: "It was basically the opening scene of 'Urban Legend', with a girl pulling into a gas station and getting freaked out by the attendant, when the real psycho is in the back of her car. I was the attendant, but it had a Henry feel. The walk, the mannerism, the same deal. It was a showcase to get a larger film: for producers to see his worse. As a matter of fact, they offered me Brad Dourif's role in Urban Legend - and I refused to do it. I said, 'I already did it!'." Would you do a Henry 3, under the right circumstances? Rooker: "Yes, I would - if the other creative energies were involved. It would definitely be something to consider, and there's certainly room for that in the marketplace." [Check out the new September 2005 edition of Henry at Amazon US] [Check out Henry uncut at Amazon UK] [Features Menu] [Home] © Copyright Slasherama 2002-present. No part of this interview may be reproduced without permission. |
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